District Dialogue

The Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation has been busy, and will continue to stay busy, as they begin to deliver the good news of Public School Proud Grants to teachers throughout the District! Since 2008, the Education Foundation has been encouraging and funding innovative solutions to enrich education in all SFSD schools. This year they will see their total distribution of funds through Public School Proud Grants surpass the $1,000,000 mark! Congratulations to everybody involved!

Over the past week the Education Foundation has awarded six more Public School Proud grants for a total of 55 so far this year! This week's grants will go towards things like crafting tools, VR projects, podcast recording, costume design, flight simulators, and so much more. Thank you PSP grant recipients for constantly going above and beyond for your students!

Click the button below to see a list of all the 2024 Public School Proud Grant recipients!

National PE & Sport Week is a celebration of the importance of physical education and health education. Health and physical education is a critical component of a well-rounded education. It’s where students learn:

• Fundamental motor skills needed to participate in physical activity, which is vital at all stages of life;
• Critical personal and social skills needed to help manage daily tasks and challenges; and
• Important character values such as resilience, fairness and respect.

Thank you to all our physical education instructors out there who keep kids moving! A strong body lays the groundwork for a sound mind.

Great schools wouldn’t be what they are without great principals. Principals set the culture and tone of the school, make lunch lines run efficiently, and hire the best teachers for their students. They implement their vision through dedication and determination to provide a successful and positive environment for students and teachers. Thank you to all the principals across SFSD who make our schools run smoothly!

When we say school nutrition professionals are heroes, we mean it! Between preparing healthy food, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile, SFSD nutrition professionals have a lot on their plate. The importance and nutritional value of school meals are well documented. For many children, school lunch is the most important and nutrient-rich meal of their day. Thank you to all of our school lunch professionals for making sure students are healthy and ready to learn!

The Sioux Falls School District is home to 86 different languages spoken (as of the latest SFSD Demographics Report). National Interpreter Appreciation Day celebrates the experts who connect those who want to communicate but they don't speak the same language. Their ability to translate even one language is an awe-inspiring accomplishment. Some interpreters translate several more! Clear and concise communication is a vital part of interacting with students and families, and just because a person doesn't speak english doesn't mean they are any less deserving of a safe and healthy life at school. Thank you to the interpreters out there who help us get the word out to EVERY student and family throughout SFSD!

Construction is well underway for the newly named Marcella LeBeau Elementary on the northwest side of Sioux Falls. Here's a birds-eye view of the progress so far!

This week's SFSD All-Star is Jenny Boyle at Harvey Dunn Elementary! She was nominated by her colleague Jennifer Chamberlain who had this to say, "Mrs. Boyle goes above and beyond to create experiences at Harvey Dunn to promote the love of reading! Most recently, she completed Book Battles with 3-5th grade. The time and efforts put into this helped everything run smoothly and made it a wonderful experience for students, teachers, and the volunteers that helped. Students are so excited for this each year and read a TON of books and pages to be ready to answer questions about literature. Jenny organizes Book Bingo, a family evening event, 2 times each year. For this event, families bring in books to share and winning games gets you a "new to you" book. Families look forward to these events to spend time together and with other families. Mrs. Boyle also organizes our One Book One School event each year along with culminating activities. This is fun for all to be able to talk with everyone in the school about the book we are all reading and enjoying together. Mrs. Boyle continues to look for innovative ways to create a library space that students enjoy library class, feel welcome in throughout the day, and look forward to talking with staff in the library. Jenny reads so many books in an effort to continue to build the library and her ability to match students with books that will interest them. She knows students and works to build relationships with all in and out of the library. Jenny is truly a staff ALL STAR!"

When everyone in a building is reading the same book, it can create some amazing learning experiences and develop close community throughout an otherwise large school! Learn about this year's book at Harvey Dunn Elementary, see the excitement of the launch, and learn how over the next several weeks, the community will come together to learn, grow, and share!

SHINE stands for Scholarship, Honors, Innovation, Networking and Exceptionalism. We’re looking for stories we can tell about high school seniors, any-age students, staff (yes, you can and should absolutely fill out this form for yourself!), projects and programs. Have a new partnership that is benefitting the classroom? Win a grant you think the world should know about? Get nominated for or receive a state-wide, regional or national honor? Know a senior stand-out on a team, in the fine arts arena, or in the classroom? How about younger students who are leading by example, making giving to charity a priority, or are making the most of a bad situation? Should a program or portion of your school be highlighted? What about some current projects: experiments, field trips, new collaborative lessons?

Send your suggestions today, and keep this in mind for the days, weeks and months ahead!

The Hawthorne Elementary Art Show and Success Night is next Thursday, May 9th, from 4:30-6:30 PM. Students have been working hard to get things ready for this night, hand-made posters and all!

Last week an event was held to honor Jan Nicolay, who was an educational champion for her many contributions to Alternative Education, General Education, and Youth. Tune in at the video above to hear more about her legacy.

Friday, May 3rd will be the official Sioux Falls Storm game to support Operation Hope and Caring! The Sioux Falls Storm will be taking on the Green Bay Blizzard at 7:05 PM at the Denny Sanford Premiere Center, and a portion of tickets purchased at https://www.levo.org/operation-hope-and-caring will go to help our schools that don't benefit from a PTA/PTO. You can click the link below to purchase tickets directly and make the biggest impact for our students!

Sports offer huge benefits to the girls involved: Leadership opportunities, scholarship possibilities, and self-development are just a few. But perhaps most important - it's FUN to participate and spend time with friends old and new! Learn about high school sports opportunities for girls in the Sioux Falls School District.

Click the link below to register for Sand Creek EAP’s live webinars.

Handling a Family Crisis- May 8, 2024 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm

This class was created for managers supporting employees experiencing a family crisis. For employees going through a family crisis, this class will cover how to manage expectations and emotional exchanges that may occur while having challenging conversations. Participants will learn healthy coping mechanisms during times of transition, as well as how to address and get support with potential financial challenges.

Check your license - is it time to renew? If so, be sure to start your renewal process as soon as possible to avoid having your certification lapse!

To apply for your renewal, visit https://www.sd.gov/educator and log-in to the account you previously used for your certification. Once logged in, click “Apply” in the red bar at the top of the screen and locate the application titled “Educator Renewal Application.” Complete the application and include all requested documents (i.e. updated Suicide Prevention Training certificate)

View the Department of Education’s document on Renewal Requirements for Teachers at:https://doe.sd.gov/certification/documents/RenewalRequ-teacher.pdf.

View the Department of Education’s document on Renewal Requirements for Administrators at:https://doe.sd.gov/certification/documents/RenewalReq-Admin.pdf

Questions on Certification Renewal? Contact Kate DiPasquale at kate.dipasquale@k12.sd.us!

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Navigate Wellbeing recently implemented Multi-Factor Authentication. Below are some reasons why:

• Heightened Security: MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your account, providing an additional layer of protection even if your password is compromised.
• Protection of Confidential Information: Your privacy and the confidentiality of your data are paramount to us. MFA adds an extra layer of defense, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access sensitive information associated with their account.
• Compliance Requirements: In today's evolving landscape of data protection regulations, implementing robust security measures like MFA is essential for maintaining compliance and adhering to industry best practices.
• Peace of Mind: By implementing MFA, we aim to provide you with greater peace of mind, knowing that your accounts are fortified against unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

How to Set Up Multi-Factor Authentication

View the complete set-up guide (with screenshots) here: Navigate Multi-Factor Authentication or follow the steps below!

Multi-factor authentication set-up must be completed on the web browser and cannot be enabled on the Navigate app. Once you have completed the set-up process, you will be able to log-in to the Navigate app using the MFA process.

1. On a web browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, etc.), visit www.sfsdwellness.com and log-in to your Navigate portal using the credentials you set-up when you first joined.
2. Once logged in, you will see the MFA instructions and authentication app suggestions. Keep this page open while you complete the remaining steps.

The Navigate portal suggests many authenticator apps. We recommend using Microsoft Authenticator for this process.

1. Keeping the Navigate portal MFA instructions open on the web browser, use your smartphone to open the authenticator app downloaded and click on add or “+” in the right-hand corner.

Depending on the app, you may be asked to select what type of account you are adding. Select which applies to this account. For those using Microsoft Authenticator, you will select the “Other” option.

1. Select to add an account using the QR code. You may be asked to enable your camera or give your authenticator access to your camera to scan the QR code. If prompted, select “Ok.”
2. Scan the unique QR code on your Navigate portal where you have logged in using your web browser on your desktop or laptop.
3. Once you scan the code, the account will be created. You will receive a code on the authenticator app. This code will expire and refresh every 30 seconds (timing of expiration will vary based on the authenticator you are using).

Recommendation: Edit the name of the account within the authenticator app so you can recall that when you log into your Navigate portal.

1. Return to the Navigate portal on the web browser to enter the 6-digit passcode from your authenticator into the “Authentication Code” field on the Navigate portal.
2. Save your backup codes! Backup codes will be displayed after enabling MFA. Save these codes. These can be used if there is ever a time where your authenticator app is not able to verify your credentials. Each backup code can only be used once.

View the complete set-up guide (with screenshots) here: Navigate Multi-Factor Authentication

Questions on setting up MFA? Reach out to Kate DiPasquale at kate.dipasquale@k12.sd.us or set-up a time to meet with her using this link: www.bit.ly/NavigateSupport

Included Health has replaced the WellVia telehealth services.

• See a doctor fast with 247/7/365 access to board-certified doctors.
• Get prescriptions sent to a local pharmacy of your choice.
• Connect anywhere, anytime virtually from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

*Included Health is available to all SFSD employees covered on the medical plan. Activate your account today: PDF

Included Health

Questions? Email benefits.sfsd@k12.sd.us

We’re here for YOU. The District is pleased to offer the Sand Creek Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to help employees and their families find support and the necessary resources when difficult situations arise. Sand Creek helps with everyday life struggles by offering solutions such as mental health counseling, work/life resources, legal/financial resources, medical advocacy, life/wellness coaching, and a personal assistant. Additionally, the EAP is an excellent option for webinars, articles, and other resources to help support our well-being. Our EAP through Sand Creek is free, professional, and confidential.

Learn more about SandCreek here: SandCreek Informational Flier

The Step-Tacular Challenge kicked off on Monday, April 22nd and the competition is heating up! Below are the current top 5 teams:

1. Warrior Nation
2. Fit 4 Life
3. Mohrs
4. Team Peters
5. Edison Cafeteria

Be sure to continue to track your steps each day through either a synced device or entering it on the tracker tab of your Navigate portal! The challenge runs until May 19th. Which team will come out on top?

As a reminder, Navigate Wellbeing has recently implemented multi-factor authentication as an enhanced security measure. View the complete set-up guide (with screenshots) here: Navigate Multi-Factor Authentication